Roane County Public Records /Roane County Inmate Search

Roane County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Roane County?

Inmate records in Roane County are official documents maintained by the Roane County Sheriff's Office and its detention facility, systematically documenting individuals who are or have been held in county custody. These records are distinct from court records: the Circuit Court Clerk maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the jail maintains custody-specific documentation related to an individual's physical detention.

The record creation process begins at booking and intake, when a detained individual is formally processed into the facility. Information is continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, housing assignment, charges, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access under applicable law.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all public records are presumed open for inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Custody records generated by county correctional facilities fall within this framework, making the majority of inmate documentation accessible to members of the public upon request.

Are Inmate Records Public In Roane County?

Inmate records maintained by the Roane County Sheriff's Office are generally public records under Tennessee law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 establishes that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and custodians of such records are required to make them available during normal business hours.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Roane County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and circumstances of intake
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the arrest or detention
Mugshots — photographic images captured at booking
Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit in which the individual is held

Certain categories of information may be withheld pursuant to statutory exemptions, including records pertaining to juveniles, ongoing investigations, or information whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under T.C.A. § 10-7-504.

What's Included Inmate Records in Roane County

Roane County inmate records contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following categories represent the standard components of a complete custody record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, and physical description (height, weight, hair and eye color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (where applicable)

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, or held for another jurisdiction)
Housing unit or cell assignment

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (statute cited)
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Offense date

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted or unposted)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Presiding court division
Case number

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length
Sentence begin date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, or court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Roane County Prison System

Roane County operates a local detention facility administered by the Roane County Sheriff's Office, which serves as the primary correctional authority for the county. The county jail functions as a pre-trial detention center for individuals awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing, and also houses individuals serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. Individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are typically transferred to a Tennessee Department of Correction facility.

The distinction between a county jail and a state prison is significant: county jails are locally administered and funded, housing short-term detainees and sentenced misdemeanants, while state prisons are operated by the Tennessee Department of Correction and house individuals serving longer felony sentences.

Roane County Sheriff's Office and Jail 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 Roane County Sheriff's Department and Jail

Types of Correctional Facilities In Roane County

Roane County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

Roane County Jail The Roane County Jail is the sole county-operated detention facility and is managed under the authority of the Roane County Sheriff's Office. It serves multiple functions within the local criminal justice system:

Pre-trial detention for individuals who have not posted bond
Short-term incarceration for individuals sentenced to terms of one year or less
Temporary holding for individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities
Housing for individuals held on detainers from other jurisdictions

Individuals serving longer sentences may be housed at Tennessee Department of Correction facilities located elsewhere in the state. The Tennessee Department of Correction's offender search portal provides information on individuals currently in state custody.

Roane County Jail 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 Roane County Sheriff's Department and Jail

Who's in Prison In Roane County

The Roane County Jail houses a diverse population of individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. Members of the public seeking to understand who is currently incarcerated in the county facility may find the following categories relevant:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been tried or who have not posted the required bond
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 11 months and 29 days
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies whose sentences fall within the county jail threshold
Individuals held on warrants — persons detained pursuant to outstanding arrest warrants from Roane County or other jurisdictions
Federal or state detainees — individuals held temporarily on behalf of federal agencies or other state entities pending transfer
Probation and parole violators — individuals detained following alleged violations of supervision conditions

Individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to Tennessee Department of Correction custody. The state's Tennessee Felony Offender Information lookup tool allows members of the public to search for individuals currently held in state correctional facilities.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Roane County in 2026

Members of the public may access Roane County inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Search: At present, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Roane County Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about the availability of an online inmate roster or booking database, as online portals are subject to change.

In-Person Request:

Visit the Roane County Sheriff's Office at 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 during normal business hours.
Submit a written or verbal public records request identifying the individual by full name and, if known, date of birth.
Staff will process the request pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503, which requires records to be made available promptly.

By Telephone:

Call the Roane County Sheriff's Office at (865) 376-5578.
Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual being sought.
Staff will confirm current custody status and provide available public information.

Court Records: For case-related documents, members of the public may contact the Roane County Circuit Court Clerk, which maintains records for Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, Traffic, and Collections Court divisions.

Roane County Circuit Court Clerk 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 Circuit Court Clerk – Roane County Government

How To Find an Inmate in Roane County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an individual held in Roane County or Tennessee state custody:

Roane County Sheriff's Office (Direct Contact):

Call (865) 376-5578 and request inmate status by name and date of birth — no fee is charged for verbal inquiries.
Visit the facility in person at 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 during business hours.

Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (State Level):

The Tennessee Department of Correction operates a free felony offender search tool for individuals in state custody.
The same database is accessible through the Offender Search portal on TN.gov and via the MyTN mobile application, available at no cost.

Court Records Search:

The Roane County Circuit Court Clerk's office provides access to case records, which may confirm an individual's custody status in connection with pending or resolved court proceedings.

How To Visit an Inmate In Roane County

Visitation at the Roane County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Roane County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable regulations.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification.
Visitors must be approved in advance and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list.
Visitation may be suspended or revoked for rule violations.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Roane County Sheriff's Office and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility at (865) 376-5578 to confirm current visiting hours before arriving.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Unauthorized food or beverages
Electronic devices not permitted by facility policy
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted

Dress Code:

Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or is deemed inappropriate by facility staff may result in denial of entry.

Visit Types:

The Roane County Jail may offer in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation, depending on current facility capacity and policy.

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, prior felony convictions, or those on probation or parole may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation privileges.
Juvenile visitors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

How To Send Money to a Roane County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary. The Roane County Sheriff's Office establishes the procedures and approved methods for depositing funds.

Accepted Methods:

Deposits through approved third-party kiosk or online services designated by the facility (members of the public should contact the jail at (865) 376-5578 to confirm the current approved provider)
In-person deposits at the facility, subject to staff availability and facility policy

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply and are set at the discretion of the facility. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the Roane County Jail.

Fees:

Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. The fee amount varies by provider and deposit method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent through the mail is not accepted.
Personal checks or money orders sent directly to an inmate are generally not accepted without prior authorization.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used to purchase commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time.
Funds may not be used to purchase contraband, unauthorized items, or to make payments outside the facility's approved systems.

How To Send Jail Mail In Roane County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Roane County Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to jail policy and applicable Tennessee law.

Mailing Address: All mail should be addressed to the inmate using the following format:

Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID Number (if known) Roane County Jail 200 East Race Street Kingston, TN 37763

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper. Colored paper, glitter, stickers, or other embellishments are generally prohibited.
Envelopes must be standard white envelopes with no padding or lining.
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the outside of the envelope.
Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; members of the public should confirm current photo policies with the jail.
Publications such as books or magazines must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved retailer — they may not be sent from a personal address.
Mail containing threats, coded language, or references to illegal activity will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action or criminal referral.
All incoming mail is opened and inspected before delivery to the inmate.

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Controlled substances or drug-laced materials
Sexually explicit materials (unless specifically authorized)
Items that could be used to facilitate escape or harm